TRIBUTES have been paid to a much-loved and highly respected special needs teacher who died after being struck down by Covid-19.

Janet Jackson, who was one of the longest-serving teachers at Penkford School in Newton-le-Willows, died on Sunday, aged 63.

Mrs Jackson was the school’s SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) and science teacher.

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She passed away in Whiston Hospital over the weekend after contracting Covid-19.

Mrs Jackson worked in education for three decades, dedicating more than half of that at Penkford.

She died just days after Penkford was forced to close due to a number of Covid outbreaks.

The school announced Mrs Jackson’s death in a message posted on its website on Tuesday evening.

Today, a spokesman for Penkford School said Mrs Jackson made a “huge contribution” to some of the borough’s most vulnerable children.

“Mrs Jackson was spoken of as ‘everybody’s auntie or a grandmother figure’ to her pupils and families,” a school spokesman said.

“Tributes have been pouring into the school from current and former pupils and families, and from around the borough.

“Mrs Jackson died at Whiston Hospital over the weekend from Covid-19, and she was even worried about her pupils right up to being admitted to hospital.”

Penkford said Mrs Jackson made a “very significant” contribution to the special needs policies and resources, and was known as a leader in this field.

The school is due to move to the former Red Bank site in Newton-le-Willows  for the 2022-2023 school year.

Following her passing, school leaders are considering naming the new science wing, or Special Education Unit after Mrs Jackson.

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Anne Kyle, Penkford School’s headteacher, said: “Janet will be greatly missed by her Penkford family, and our thoughts are with her husband and children at this very sad time.

“Staff, pupils and their families have been deeply affected by her passing, and we are working to ensure that bereavement support is available to all who need it.

“When the time is right we will be looking at a permanent way to honour Mrs Jackson and her immeasurable contribution to the school and the many colleagues and vulnerable young people on whom she had a profoundly positive impact.”